11 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Camshaft and Crankshaft

Due to the history of this bike, 83,000+ miles and an oil filter high pressure bypass valve that was loose and not sealing for an unknown period of time, I want to inspect the crankshaft main bearings.

I previously removed the electrical components under the front engine cover, the inner timing cover, the crankshaft nose bearing and crankshaft timing sprocket. You can see how I do that here:

To remove the camshaft requires removing the oil pump. I already removed that to replace the rear main seal, flywheel o-ring and oil pump cover o-ring. You can see how I do that work here:

Tools

I use the Cycle Works Stage III engine tools to remove the crankshaft. The tools can also be used to remove the front and rear main bearings.

Cycle Works Stage III Tools

Cycle Works Stage III Tools

I need to heat the engine block around the front main bearing carrier before I extract it with the Cycle Works tools. I use two MAP gas torches (only one shown in picture below) to put enough heat into the front of the engine block to get the temperature around the bearing carrier to 275 F. I use an infrared non-contact temperature sensor to measure the temperature around the bearing carrier and two 1-1/8 inch box-end wrenches to tighten the puller bolt on the Cycle Works tool to extract the bearing carrier.

MAP Gas (I Used Two of These), IR Temperature Meter, (2) 1-1/8" Box Wrenches

MAP Gas (I Used Two of These), N0n-Contact IR Temperature Meter, (2) 1-1/8″ Box Wrenches

Video

I made a short video summarizing how I do this work.

Remove Camshaft

The camshaft timing sprocket is in the way of removing the crankshaft front bearing carrier, so I have to remove it. The obvious way is to pull the sprocket off the camshaft with a 3-jaw gear puller. BUT, it turns out the sprocket is stamped out of a thin piece of steel and the force needed to pull it will bend the sprocket.  SO DON’T GO THERE!!

WARNING:
The picture below shows you how to have a bad day, NOT HOW TO REMOVE THE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET.

HOW NOT TO DO IT !!!! You Will Bend The Camshaft Sprocket

HOW NOT TO DO IT !!!! You Will Bend The Camshaft Sprocket

I was warned about not using a 3-jaw puller from Tom Cutter at Rubber Chicken Racing Garage. He said he positions the camshaft sprocket holes to align with the camshaft bearing carrier bolts, removes the bolts, and then pulls the camshaft with the sprocket out of the engine block as a unit. Of course, the oil pump has to be removed since it attaches to the rear of the cam shaft before you extract the camshaft from the front of the engine block.

HOW TO DO IT: Orient\ Camshaft Sprocket Holes & Remove Bearing Carrier Bolts

HOW TO DO IT: Orient Camshaft Sprocket Holes So You Can Remove Front Bearing Carrier Bolts

Remove Cam Followers

Before removing the camshaft, I remove the cam followers. The followers need to go back onto the cam lobe they came from, so I labeled the block with the side (“R”, “L”) and intake and exhaust (“I”, “E”) as a “belt and suspenders” approach for getting the correct follower on the correct lobe. Then I labeled four baggies appropriately.

Keeping Track of Which Cam Follower Goes Where

Keeping Track of Which Cam Follower Goes Where

I use a pick and insert the point into the hole in the center of the follower cup the push rod sits in and pull the follower out. I inspect the followers. There are no cracks, pits, or chips on the cup the push rod fits into. The slots in the side show no cracks. The face of the follower that rides on the cam lobe has a mirror polish to it and shows not pits, rust or scratches. The followers are in good condition. After I finish inspecting each follower, I put it in it’s baggie before pulling the next one.

Cam Follower Cup The Push Rod Fits Into

Cam Follower Cup The Push Rod Fits Into-Note Hole In The Center I Put A Pick In To Pull It Out

Cam Follower Has Two Slots In The Side

Cam Follower Has Two Slots In The Side

Face of Cam Follower Should Shine Like a Mirror

Face of Cam Follower Should Shine Like a Mirror

Remove Oil Pump

I previously removed the oil pump. You can see how I do that here.

Pull Camshaft Out of Block

I rotate the camshaft timing gear to align the holes in the gear with the two bolts securing the front camshaft bearing carrier. I remove the two bolts. I had to tap on the rear of the camshaft that the oil pump mounted to to push the camshaft forward so I could pull it out of the block.

Remove Camshaft Bearing Carrier Bolt

Remove Camshaft Bearing Carrier Bolt

Camshaft Bearing Carrier Hardware Detail

Camshaft Bearing Carrier Hardware Detail-Bolt with Wave Washer

I had to tap the rear of the camshaft with a plastic mallet to push it out the front but the process was straight forward (no pun intended 🙂 )

Camshaft, Bearing Carrier & Sprocket Coming Out of Engine Block

Camshaft, Bearing Carrier & Sprocket Coming Out of Engine Block

I inspect the cam lobes for signs of nicks, rust, cracks or other signs of abuse. There is an uneven, and off-center, wear pattern on the lobes, but this is normal. The cam followers are off-center on the lobes so that the force of rotation of the cam lobe produces a torque on the cam follower and the push rod riding on top of the follower so they both rotate. The idea is to have uniform wear on the followers and push rods.

Cam Lobes on Camshaft-Off Center Wear Pattern Is Normal

Cam Lobes on Camshaft-Uneven and Off Center Wear Pattern Is Normal

Measure Gap Between Camshaft Shoulder and Camshaft Sprocket

Tom said to measure the gap between the face of the camshaft shoulder and the back of the bearing carrier as sometimes the camshaft sprocket moves forward. The gap should be no more than 0.005 inches. I found my gap was 0.004 inches so the sprocket has not moved.

Camshaft Shoulder and Rear of Bearing Carrier Detail

Camshaft Shoulder and Rear of Bearing Carrier Detail

Gap Between Camshaft Shoulder and Bearing Carrier Not To Exceed 0.005 Inches

Gap Between Camshaft Shoulder and Bearing Carrier Not To Exceed 0.005 Inches

Remove Inner Timing Cover Gasket and Two Doughnut Gaskets

I use a single edge razor blade to carefully get under the inner timing cover gasket so I can remove it. It’s easier to start from the inside of the gasket. I take care to keep the edge of the blade flat with the sealing surface on the engine block so as not to nick or gouge it. I also use the blade to remove the two doughnut gaskets at the top of the engine block.

Careful Use Of Single Edge Razor Blade Removes Inner Timing Cover Gasket

Careful Use Of Single Edge Razor Blade Removes Inner Timing Cover Gasket

Careful Use Of Single Edge Razor Blade Removes Inner Timing Cover Gasket

Careful Use Of Single Edge Razor Blade Removes Inner Timing Cover Gasket

Inner Timing Cover Gasket Removed

Inner Timing Cover Gasket Removed

Inner Timing Cover Doughnut Gaskets Removed From Top Two Bolt Holes

Inner Timing Cover Doughnut Gaskets Removed From Top Two Bolt Holes

Remove Starter Motor

Since I have to heat the front of the engine block near the starter motor to 275 F, I remove the starter motor so I won’t damage it. It is secured by a bracket on the front and two large bolts on the rear.

Inner Timing Cover Gasket and "Doughnuts" Removed-Note Starter Motor Bracket at Top Right

Inner Timing Cover Gasket and “Doughnuts” Removed-Starter Motor Front Bracket at Top Right

Starter Motor Front Bracket Hardware Detail

Starter Motor Front Bracket Hardware Detail

The rear bolt heads are captive in the starter motor bracket so you can remove the nuts from the rear and the bolts won’t turn. After I remove the left nut, I can pull the bolt to the front and get it out of the stater motor. The right bolt head is hidden, so when I remove the nut, I can’t extract the bolt, but I can tilt and pull the starter motor forward to get it free.

Starter Motor Right Side Bolt Detail-Note Bolt Head is Captive In The Bracket

Starter Motor Left Side Bolt Detail-Note Bolt Head is Captive In The Bracket

Starter Motor Right Side, Rear Bolt Detail

Starter Motor Left Side, Rear Bolt Detail

Starter Motor Right Side, Rear Bolt Detail

Starter Motor Left Side, Rear Bolt Detail

Starting Motor Left Side, Rear Bolt Is Captive In Bracket

Starting Motor Left Side, Rear Bolt Is Captive In Bracket

Starter Motor Mounting Bolts Detail

Starter Motor Mounting Bolts Detail

Starter Motor Removed

Starter Motor Removed

Remove Crankcase Breather Cover & Hose

Since the engine block will get hot near this, I remove it.

Remove Crankcase Breather Cover

Remove Crankcase Breather Cover

Crankcase Breather Cover Hardware Detail

Crankcase Breather Cover Hardware Detail

Crankcase Breather Cavity Detail

Crankcase Breather Cavity Detail

Crankcase Breather Cover Detail

Crankcase Breather Cover Detail

The breather hose is cracked under the hose clamp so I will replace it.

Crankcase Breather Hose

Crankcase Breather Hose

Remove Front Main Bearing Carrier

There are three nuts left securing the front main bearing carrier that I remove. The lower left nut (facing the engine) was removed when I removed the timing chain slider

Front Main Bearing Carrier Exposed After Camshaft Removed

Front Main Bearing Carrier Exposed After Camshaft Removed

One Nut On Left Side of Front Bearing Carrier

One Nut Secures Left Side (Facing Front Of Engine) of Front Bearing Carrier

Two Nuts Secure Right Side of Front Main Bearing Carrier

Two Nuts Secure Right Side (Facing Front of Engine) of Front Main Bearing Carrier

Remove (3) Front Main Bearing Carrier Nuts

Remove (3) Front Main Bearing Carrier Nuts

Front Main Bearing Carrier Hardware Detail

Front Main Bearing Carrier Hardware Detail

I assemble the Cycle Works tool for removing the front main bearing carrier.

Cycle Works Front Main Bearing Carrier Puller Tool Components

Cycle Works Front Main Bearing Carrier Puller Tool Components

Masking Tape & Allan Bolt To Protect Crankshaft Nose

Masking Tape & Allan Bolt To Protect Crankshaft Nose

Orientation of Cycle Works Puller Nose and Puller Plate

Orientation of Cycle Works Puller Nose and Puller Plate

Threaded Holes in Front Bearing Carrier For Cycle Works Bolts

Threaded Holes in Front Bearing Carrier That Cycle Works Tool Bolts Thread Into

Cycle Works Front Bearing Carrier Removal Tool Installed

Cycle Works Front Bearing Carrier Removal Tool Installed On Crankshaft

I put on my welding gloves and I use two MAP gas torches to heat the side of the engine block around the bearing carrier. I sweep the flame of one torch on each side of the engine block on the cylinder side of the carrier and above and below the carrier. The bottom and sides of the block heat up slower than the top so I move more slowly over those surfaces. It takes about five minutes to apply enough heat to the front of the block to get it up to 250 F. Then I use the two 1-1/8 inch box end wrenches to tighten the Cycle Works puller bolt and the carrier starts coming out of the block.

Front Main Bearing Carrier Removed Exposing Crankshaft

Front Main Bearing Carrier Removed Exposing Crankshaft

When it comes free, I use my gloved hands to remove it and the cycle works tool from the nose of the crankshaft.

I pull the crankshaft forward and it slides easily out of the rear main bearing. I center it in the hole and rotate it so I can get the front journal counterweight out of the hole in the front of the block. Then I tilt the crank a bit as I rotate it the other way so I can get the rear journal counterweight past the hole.

Inspect Main Bearings

The bearing carrier has the front bearing inside the bore along with the high pressure oil relief valve at the top left of the carrier. As shown in the picture below, I put a Sharpie triangle mark next to where the seam of the front bearing goes in the carrier. The seam is located here so it avoids the maximum thrust on the crankshaft from the connecting rods.

Triangle Sharpie Mark At 11:00 Shows Where Seam in Front Bearing is Located in The Carrier

Triangle Sharpie Mark At 11:00 Shows Where Seam in Front Bearing is Located in The Carrier

The front bearing is discolored and I can see minor grooves in it. The center slot with cut outs aligns with the oil passages drilled in the crankshaft main journal. There is a small hole in the bearing near my thumb in the picture below that sends oil to the valve train on one side. There is another hole on the other side of the bearing in the following picture to lubricate the other cylinder’s valve train. Note the seam between the two bearing halves in the picture below has a cut out across the seam which is normal.

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Front Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

The rear main bearing shows a similar level of wear.

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

 

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Rear Main Bearing Shows Grooves and Discoloration

Inspect Crankshaft Main Bearing Journals

There is a discolored band around the circumference of the front and rear main bearing journals that align with the oil passages drilled into the journals and line up with the center groove of the bearings. I believe this is normal and not an indication of crankshaft main bearing journal damage.

Rear Crankshaft Journal with Interior Thrust Washer

Rear Crankshaft Journal with Interior Thrust Washer

Front Crankshaft Journal

Front Crankshaft Journal

I shine a light into the oil passages connecting the main journal with the connecting rod big end journals to see if they are dirty or partially blocked. They are both clear. I use a soft bristle bottle brush and clean them out just to be thorough.

Checking The Front Main Bearing Journal Oil Passage to Connecting Rod Journal For Debris

Checking The Front Main Bearing Journal Oil Passage to Connecting Rod Journal For Debris

On the front main journal there is a rectangular recess in the middle of the polished journal.

Notch In Crankshaft Front Main Journal Pumps Oil To Lubricate Rocker Assemblies in The Heads

Notch In Crankshaft Front Main Journal Pumps Oil To Lubricate Rocker Assemblies in The Heads

It acts to cyclically pump a small flow of oil from the main journal oil passage through the two holes on the left and right sides of the front bearing. Those holes are connected to passages in the engine block that go to the holes the top cylinder studs screw into. This oil lubricates the rocker assembly in the heads. By providing a pulsating, lower pressure oil flow for the rocker assembly, the head gasket and base gasket are better able to seal without having to overcome high pressure oil. IMHO, this is a clever feature of the crankshaft design.

Crankshaft Journal Measurements

I measured the crankshaft front and rear journals. The journals don’t look abused, but it’s worthwhile to me to learn what the measurements show.

I use a 2-3 inch micrometer. I use a reference length to calibrate it. At 0.0000 inches, it reads 0.0004 inches so I will subtract that from all measurements I take. I make measurements at the top and bottom of the journal and at 90 degree angles. That gives me four measurements per journal. I take 3-4 measurements per measuring point and average them. I put all the information into a spreadsheet as shown below.

Crankshaft Journal Measurements

Crankshaft Journal Measurements

Based on what I read in the Clymer’s manual, the journals match up with the “Red” main bearings for both the alternator and flywheel journals. I don’t see any ovality (alternator 0.0000″, flywheel 0.0000″) and almost no taper (alternator 0.0001″, flywheel 0.0001″) in the journals, so that is good. It leads me to conclude the crankshaft journals are in good condition.

The engine block is looking pretty empty at this point.

Engine Block Looks Empty

Engine Block Looks Empty

Replace Oil High Pressure By-pass Spring & Plunger

Due to the miles and age of the bike, I want to replace the spring and plunger inside the oil high pressure bypass valve. It is easy to do this while the front main bearing carrier is removed. It’s not as easy if it’s in the engine due to a stud that’s near the end of the housing preventing it from being unscrewed all the way.

Stud Obstructs Removal of Oil High Pressure Bypass Housing

Stud Obstructs Removal of Oil High Pressure Bypass Housing

I use a pair of vice grips to turn it and then a pair of pliers to unscrew it from the front bearing carrier.

Front Main Bearing Carrier with Oil High Pressure Relief Valve at Top Left

Front Main Bearing Carrier with Oil High Pressure Relief Valve at Top Left

Unscrewing Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Housing

Unscrewing Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Housing

Unscrewing Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Housing From Bearing Carrier

Unscrewing Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Housing From Bearing Carrier

Once the housing is removed from the front main bearing carrier, I remove the plunger and the spring from the body of the high pressure bypass valve.

Orientation of Plunger in Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve

Orientation of Plunger in Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve

Plunger Has Two Bevels On The Side

Plunger Has Two Bevels On The Side

Face of The Plunger Showing The Two Bevels On The Side

Face of The Plunger Showing The Two Bevels On The Side

Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Parts

Oil High Pressure Bypass Valve Parts

Inside Of The Bypass Valve Passage In The Bearing Carrier

Inside Of The Bypass Valve Passage In The Bearing Carrier

I measure the original spring and the new spring, and the diameter of the original plunger and the new one. The original spring has collapsed some, as I expected and the plunger diameter has not changed.

Original Bypass Valve Spring Length

Original Bypass Valve Spring Length

New Bypass Valve Spring Length

New Bypass Valve Spring Length

High Pressure Relief Valve Parts Measurement

High Pressure Relief Valve Parts Measurement

I replace the spring and the plunger. Here is the new plunger next to the old one.

(L) Old Plunger, (R) New Plunger

(L) Old Plunger, (R) New Plunger

But as a very experienced airhead mechanic told me, the oil high pressure bypass plunger is the best lubricated part on an airhead engine so it shouldn’t be worn. Nonetheless, I replaced the plunger with a new one as its inexpensive so why not.

Verify Condition of Bearings & Crank

I took the block with the rear main bearing, the crankshaft and front bearing cover with the front main bearing to see Matt Parkhouse. I wanted someone with experience to look things over, and if the front bearing had to be replaced, had been there and done that more than once before.

Based on what I read about replacing the front main bearing, there is “art” to staking it correctly and the penalty for failure is likely a new crankshaft. So I don’t want to take that work on myself.

Matt’s visual inspection of the main bearings and crankshaft did not show any reasons for real concern. He measured the crankshaft main journals and the inside diameter of the bearing shells. He pronounced the crankshaft main journals and the front bearing are within specification, but found the rear one was too loose. So he replaced it with a new “red” bearing.

Checking The Crankshaft

Checking The Crankshaft

Measuring ID of Original Rear Main Bearing

Measuring ID of Original Rear Main Bearing

Measuring ID of Original Rear Main Bearing

Measuring ID of Original Rear Main Bearing Using Telescoping Gauge and Micrometer

Measuring New Rear Main Bearing ID After Installation

Measuring New Rear Main Bearing ID After Installation

Checking The Free Play with New Rear Bearing Using "Sense of Feel"

Checking The Free Play with New Rear Bearing Using “Sense of Feel”

NOTE:
You see the rear main seal and the rear thrust washer in the pictures above. I had installed a new rear main seal before deciding that I really ought to pull the crankshaft. Matt pulled the thrust washer out past the rear main seal to do the work. I replaced the seal later since I did not want to chance damage to the seal lip causing it to leak. That’s the cost of a change in plans. 🙂

The maximum clearance for the crankshaft main journal bearings is (0.026 in, 0.066 mm). The table below shows the measurements used to compute the clearance between the crankshaft main journals and the bearing. The alternator (front) bearing clearance is (0.0018 in, 0.047 mm) and the flywheel (rear) bearing clearance is (0.003 in, 0.070 mm). The rear clearance is just past the maximum.

For the flywheel journal main bearing, you can see the difference between the original clearance and the clearance with the new red bearing installed (0.019 in, 0.047 mm). With the new bearing, the clearance for both crankshaft main journals are just about the same.

Crankshaft Bearing Clearances

Crankshaft Bearing Clearances

The rear bearing runs hotter since the rear of the engine is not in the air stream. And the oil from the oil pump first goes to the front bearing before getting to the rear bearing. If the oil level gets low, the rear bearing gets less flow than it should. In short, the rear main bearing suffers more than the front.

This could explain the slightly smaller flywheel journal diameter and the greater wear of the rear main bearing.

Revisions

2019-12-20  Add oil high pressure bypass valve section, main journal inspection, journal notch explanation.
2019-12-23  Add high oil pressure bypass and front bearing seam pictures. Edits.

25 thoughts on “11 BMW 1983 R100RS Remove Camshaft and Crankshaft

  1. Hi Brook,

    Does the Crankshaft Nose Bearing & Timing Chain Sprocket have to be removed in order to remove the Front Main Bearing Carrier?

    Both the bearing and sprocket seem to be in good condition, but I need to remove the Front Main Bearing Carrier so I can remove the crankshaft to have the engine block vapor blasted. I would prefer not to remove these if the Front Main Bearing Carrier is able to be removed without being impeded by the bearing or sprocket.

    Thanks!

    • Hi Brandon,

      If you are vapor blasting the engine block, you will need to thoroughly clean everything including ALL oil passages in the engine block afterwards. This is a labor intensive job, requires small diameter brushes to clean the passages, requires knowing where all the passages are in the engine block and an anal retentive attention to detail. If there is any glass grit in the oil passages, you will destroy the main bearings, rod bearings, oil pump, rocker arms bearings, etc.

      Yes, you have to remove the nose bearing and timing chain sprocket to remove the front main bearing carrier. Further, if any vapor blast material contacts the main bearings, it will damage them, so you have to remove and replace those as well. And, replacing those bearings is, IMHO, a job for an expert, of which I am not one.

      Said differently, I would NEVER vapor blast an engine block. But that’s just me.

      Best.
      Brook.

      • Thanks for that information. I may have to reconsider my plan of action.

        Do you have any recommendations for getting the engine block as clean and shiny looking as it would be with vapor blasting? I’ve already had the carbs, jugs, oil pan, top and front cover done. Will also have the transmission housing and rear drive housing done as well, so I don’t want the engine block to look too far off, but I understand it won’t be perfect.

          • Brook,

            Lots of great information on that page. I’ll make sure to bookmark it along with the many other pages of yours I have saved.

            I really appreciate all you do to keep this website up and sharing your wealth of information.

            Thanks,
            Brandon

          • Brandon, You’re quite welcome. I’m pleased the material has been helpful to you on your project.

  2. Hi Brook,

    I am planning to do the same work and I just received the main bearings.
    When inspecting them I notices some markings and I am not sure if those are normal.
    Is there any way I can upload pictures of them and get your opinion?
    Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
    Regards, Francesco

    • Hi Fancesco,

      To be clear, I do not consider myself well informed about the crankshaft main bearings which is why I had a long time professional airhead mechanic look at mine and replace the rear main bearings as they seemed a bit worn to him.

      This work, particularly the staking of the front main bearing, is precision work and any small mistake can cost you a crankshaft and engine block. That’s why I used a professional.

      Best.
      Brook.

      • Hi Brook,

        Thank you for the reply and I understand.
        Unfortunately, where I am (Malaysia), I have no access to such expertise and unless I am prepared to spend a fortune and take the risk of shipping the items somewhere else to get the job don, I will need to take my chances and do it my self.

        Cheers, Francesco

        • Francesco,

          I understand. I believe you will need a special reamer to pin the front main bearing. My suggestion is you contact Tom Cutter at Rubber Chicken Racing Garage ([email protected]; http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com) and discuss with him the proper procedure for installing the front main bearing. He can sell you the proper reamer(s) to use as well. Tell him I sent you and that you can’t access an airhead mechanic where you live and will have to do the work yourself.

          I hope this helps.

          Best.
          Brook.

  3. Hi Brook. Like many, I’ve been reading and collecting valuable information from your blog. As I am restoring an R75/7, I’ve come to the part where I’ve removed the main bearings and going to measure the journals on the crankshaft to determine what bearings I need to order.
    One thing that surprised/confused me was that the removed bearings have two part numbers stamped in (two on each).
    The rear one still has the colour code (red) and the front has no visible color left.
    The Parts numbers are 1255285 (which is BLUE) and 1250155 (which is RED).
    Now to the question 🙂
    Do you know why there are two parts numbers stamped in on the bearings? One is obviously RED (colour still on it) but also has the part number for BLUE.
    I did call a BMW parts dealer in England who’ve helped me before but the person who took the call couldn’t answer. I know that the important thing is to get the correct measurements, refer to the manual and order the correct bearing.

    If possible I could send a picture to make it clearer for you. If you don’t have the answer I still want to say thank you very much for the valuable content you have been posting.
    Best regards from Sweden
    /Philippe

    • Good Morning Philippe,

      I do not know why there are two different part numbers on your crankshaft thrust washers (aka, stop disks). The color usually dissolves on them, so I measure them with a micrometer to determine which thickness class they are.

      Best.
      Brook.

      • Thank you for the quick reply 🙂 The question isn’t about the thrust washers. It’s about the front and the rear main bearing. Where the crankshaft main journals go.
        Have a nice day 🙂

        • Philippe,

          Okay. I still have no input on the dual numbers. I have not replaced main bearing shells so I have no experience with that.

          Best.
          Brook.

  4. Hello Brook,
    I just checked the dimensions of the main bearings and the crankshaft.
    Everything complies with specific tolerances so there is no need to replace the main bearings. However, the main bearings, being used (about 40,000km), have slight signs of wear. Is it possible to use 1000 sandpaper gently and without pressure to remove the slight marks, or is it better to avoid?

  5. Hello Mr. Reams, congratulations on your articles.
    They are very helpful and clear.
    I read this article carefully and asked myself a question.
    From your measurements on your crankshaft main journal (flywheel side) the measurements detected are:
    59.979mm
    59.977mm
    59.979mm
    59.977mm
    Average 59.978.mm
    The BMW R80 G / S workshop manual (it should have the same crankshaft of your bike) says that if the crankshaft main journal on the flywheel side has a measurement between 59.980mm and 59.990mm, it must be combined with the standard Red main bearing.
    If, on the other hand, the measurement is between 59.971 and 59.980, it must be combined with the standard Blue bearing.
    I hope I have not made a mistake of interpretation.
    why did you choose the red main bearing?

    thank U

    • Hi Steve,

      Matt Parkhouse decided to replace the rear main bearing with a red one as he felt the original was a bit too loose. Your understanding of the color vs. diameter is correct. Matt made his own measurements, so perhaps mine were a bit off.

      Best.
      Brook.

  6. Hi Brook.
    Thank you for the documentation and sharing it on this blog. Very informative! I am in the process of installing the main bearing carrier back into my R75. When you installed the high pressure relief valve back into the front bearing carrier. Did you use any loctite or did you just tightened it with the vice grips?
    Regards
    /Philippe

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